More than 70 years ago, in response to floods that devastated Houston in 1929 and 1935, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) constructed the Addicks and Barker Dams. The Addicks and Barker reservoirs are designed to control flooding in Houston by capturing rainwater that falls to the west of the city and releasing it in a controlled manner into Buffalo Bayou, which flows through the center of Houston and eastward to the Gulf of Mexico.

When completed in 1948, the reservoirs occupied rural and agricultural land in far western Harris County and eastern Fort Bend County. Today, the reservoirs straddle Interstate 10 in an area that is crowded with homes and businesses.

Though Addicks and Barker are old, they are regularly inspected as part of USACE’s Dam Safety Program. This program demonstrates our commitment to protecting lives, property, and the environment by ensuring that all dams are designed, constructed, operated, and maintained to the highest safety standards. The Dam Safety Program provides a framework to ensure that short-term issues are addressed, and long-term viability is maintained for the safety of nearby communities.

The reservoirs also provide recreational benefits and limited habitat for wildlife. There are three major recreational developments on the reservoirs: Bear Creek Pioneers Park and Cullen Park on Addicks Reservoir, and George Bush Park on Barker Reservoir. These recreational developments offer a wide variety of activities designed to accommodate local and regional needs through day use facilities.

For more information on the Addicks and Barker Dams, read the Addicks and Barker Master Plan in the "Project Documents" tab.